There are two vacancies in Brisbane’s forward pack and new signing Fletcher Baker hopes to fill one of them before playing his former club Sydney Roosters in Las Vegas.
The Broncos have lost props Thomas Flegler, to the Dolphins, and Keenan Palasia to Gold Coast from the side that suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Penrith in the NRL grand final.
The 23-year-old Baker played 46 games for the Roosters in three seasons, most of them off the bench, but has arrived at the Broncos at just the right time to stake a claim for a top-17 position in the front row.
He will have competition with proven performers Martin Taupau and Corey Jensen, along with tyro prop Xavier Willison, all in the running to fill the vacancies left by Flegler and Palasia.
“Keenan and Flegler … they are good players. I look at the team they were this year and I think their football complements me,” Baker said.
“I like to play in support, ball-play and get quick play-the-balls.
“If you can do that off (representative forwards) Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan and with all the pretty boys at the back … t’s great footy.
“To play alongside the crew that they have got in the forwards…it’s incredible. I want to get my best pre-season in and make an impression. I want to be in that team.”
While bigger names like Farnworth and Flegler, Stephen Crichton at Canterbury, Roger Tuivasa returning to the Warriors, Jack Wighton at Souths and new Roosters duo Spencer Leniu and Dominic Young will command more headlines, Baker could be an extremely valuable pick-up for Brisbane, operating as the next cab off the rank following behind the Payne Haas-Patrick Carrigan one-two middle forward punch.
Fletcher Baker. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The Broncos will play the Roosters in Las Vegas to kick off the season in March.
“That would be a good milestone for me. Touch wood, hopefully I get there,” he said.
Baker said he had interest from several clubs but in the end it was a choice between staying at the Roosters or venturing north.
“I love the Roosters and it was sad to leave the nest but I love the footy up here. It is a young crew and it is exciting,” he said.
The heat and humidity of Brisbane is taxing but Baker started pre-season training on his own early to get volume in his legs.
“I am glad I did because today was a punch in the face with the heat. I struggled to get through it,” he said after Monday’s session in oppressive conditions.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Hunt should train for 2nd row or lock, his size is against him at prop.
langparker
Roar Rookie
After Baker signed I watched his roosters games a little more closely and have to say, I was reasonably impressed. He must have been well regarded because the roosters had forwards coming back from injuries but never considered dumping a guy who had signed elsewhere. Personally, I think that Willison will take Flegler’s role and Baker will slot in when Xavier gets spelled. Willison is more a big bodied impact player who will be used in shorter spurts (like Flegler early in his career) and I reckon he’ll surprise a lot of people with his ball skills and mobility. He was a standout in the underage origin teams in packs that were generally outgunned for experience. Baker might be their go to prop to cover the crucial 40 minutes either side of half time (bit like Palasia did) because he’s been in the nrl system longer. Don’t think we’ll see much of TeKura until origin time. Not sure if Hunt will feature much, he’s a Jensen clone and they’ll compete for that bench role. Kevvie should have worked out by now that he’s just got to show faith in the young guys and ride out the odd blunder.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Losing Flegler is huge for the Broncs, but i think Fletcher is a good pick up and has the potential to provide the same sort of output in the long run. It will take time, if for no other reason than getting Fletcher's minutes up, but in terms of like replacements that shouldn't require the team to change anything about their style, i think it is a smart signing. Whether it is value for money as per the headline, who knows, we don't know what he signed for.
Nat
Roar Guru
He and Hunt do provide a good middle option between the aging Tapau and Jensen and young Willison and TeKura. Still a shame to lose Fleg right when he was coming good.